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Giving Care, Reflecting Light |
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Monday, 13 September 2010 |
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 There are two ways of spreading light -- to be the candle or
the mirror that reflects it. --Edith Wharton My list of “to-dos” has emerged from its summer slumber. Items like “plan the worship calendar” and “gather adult education material,” have been replaced with “set a meeting,” and “write sermon!” We are moving as a congregation back into what we have come to call the Church Year (September-June) where most of our business gets done. But there is one section of my To-Do list that remains the same no matter the time of the year. At the top I write the names of individuals in our congregation who are in a tender place. Their health may be faltering, they may be struggling with family concerns or financial woes; they may be moving or wrestling with significant life changes. These receive my attention first, whether this attention is simply a prayer or a visit or some direct action, and as I have learned, many of you in our congregation operate similarly. You give care the brunt of your attention.
Our hearts and prayers are with Linda Nevitte who has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Since her diagnosis, members and friends have provided an ever-present network of care, from weeding her lawn to bringing her food, to sitting and sharing the life-breath of nurture - conversation, prayer, and meditation. What a beautiful light you reflect, per the quote above by Edith Wharton.
Caregivers are not the mirrors themselves but the mirrors that reflect the light. The light comes from the individual who is willing to receive your nurture. As a mirror, a caregiver listens with an open heart and open mind, and responds by shining the beauty they see back to the individual they are caring for, and back into the world. Mirrors do not need to create their own light, they just need to be positioned appropriately to reflect certain glory.
As you give care please remember this reality. Of course we all want to have the right answers; we want to fix all the problems, to make what is difficult- easy, what is painful- peaceful. But please know that we do not need to generate all the light. The light is there, in the heart of the individual we are caring for, and in the embrace we offer with our willingness to be present. Our work is seeing that light and letting it glow all the more brightly. Blessings to you all, dear care givers.
If you would like to be connected to the network of care for Linda Nevitte, please send a note to Yvonne Centala:
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, who is coordinating care for the month of September If you would like to speak to one of Linda’s Pastoral Caregivers please contact Rev. Anya:
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or Deb Rose:
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. If you are in need of care yourself, please contact Rev. Anya.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 13 September 2010 )
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